The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-09-07

he himself being Reither-an of which
is very true and would have been very
becoming, if seriously written.
Both the editor and Mr.. V.-no Of
tense intended to the S. bill-fancy that
Mr.. Curtis statement that Utah's
population, resources and social coAdi-
ton are such az to entitle her to ad-
mission under the proposed Constitu-
ton, is met by the point that Terri
tory full of unreconstructed rebels or
perjured Mexican subjects could not
hope for successful recognition by Con-
gress We will say right here that we
would want more credible witnesses to
the allegations of rebellious or traitor
Gus designs than the editors of the Salt
Lake Tribune. They have stated one
phase of the case; but there is another.
Suppose one of our Territories to pos
sess population of half million. Sup
pose all of the adult males were the re-
fined and intellectual counterparts of
Judge Goodwin, which supposition
countries to enrich the particular n.y.
pothetical Territory in question, but
we wish to make the case extreme. and
therefore the violent absurdity of the
superstition will be overlooked; and
suppose that like Judge Goodwin the
population were radical Republicans.
The community would regard itself
with great complacency, and every
man would feel exceedingly gratifed
that he had neighbors in form and in
tellect so like God" Now, suppose
that Congress were hopelessly Demo-
cratic, and in the exercise of discre-
ton left absolute by their own admis-
sion, would the Judge and his mastery
correspondent be content to sit idly by
and in the perfection of patriotism
which it is criminal in the Mormons
not to possess, and with a humility
from which Uriah Heep might gather
points, exclaim tn Congress, 1--WE desire
admission, but if you refuse US, we
shall bow 'umbly to your will; for are
we not your subjects, the creatures of
your whims?"
The trouble with the latter position
and the position of Messrs. Goodwin
and Varian, for they both involve the
same error, is that they assume
ultimate authority to rest in the whims
and caprices of Congressman. This
would be all right if Congressman in
their whims and caprices were always
lust, were always we'll informed and
free from traditional and political pre-
iudices. But as to the right in any |
case of admission or refusal we must go |
beyond the venal action Of Congress.
Mr.. Goodwin would deny the right of
Democratic Congress to reject the
assumed paragon of Territorial virtues.
He would feel like kicking, and he
would kick. He would have a good !
deal to say about Congress defeating
the objects of out republican govern
ment, of robbing the Constitution of
its virtues. And he would be right. |
Upon Congress is imposed the sacred |
trust of admitting every Territory hav
ing the qualifications that applies for
admission, with Constitution estab-
fishing a republican form of govern
ment. And it is Mr.. Curtis conten-
ton that Utah possesses every desir-
able qualification for Statehood; that
she has therefore an indefeasible right |
o the honor; that if congressman, by
reason of prejudice, ignorance or po-
Iitical consideration, shall deny this
right, they will violate their oaths and
be recreant to their duty.